Proud parents of IVF babies have celebrated their ‘miracle’ babies while also remembering the pioneer who developed fertility treatment.

Families from Huddersfield and Halifax who have used the assisted conceptions service based at Calderdale Royal Hospital gathered yesterday to share their experiences.

And the timing of the annual event was even more significant this year, following the death of the co-pioneer of IVF Robert Edwards last week aged 87.

Batley-born Prof Edwards, together with co-pioneer Dr Patrick Steptoe, developed fertility treatment which has enabled five million babies to be born since the first test tube baby which was Louise Brown in 1978.

And there was even more cause to celebrate yesterday as latest figures show the Trust’s conception rate is now 38% which is well above the national average of 32.2%

Lisa and Stephen Hurst, from Mirfield, had IVF and are now proud parents to their three-and-a-half month old baby girl, Freya.

Lisa, 33, said: “I fell pregnant after the first cycle which was brilliant.

“We couldn’t believe it. We were absolutely over the moon.

“Everything about the service has been fantastic. They have been with us to support us every step of the way and now we have our beautiful daughter to show for it.”

Also attending the event were new parents Nicola Stead and Andrew Brook, from Dalton.

Nicola, 33, gave birth to Millie Jayne Brook seven weeks ago.

“I miscarried with the first cycle but the second time it was successful,” she said.

“It was an agonising time. There are so many emotions and because of the miscarriage, I was even more nervous but the hospital was fantastic.

“The nurses at Calderdale are lovely. They really care about you and your family and it makes a world of difference.”

Last year, the unit saw 732 new couples – up 99 on the year before – from the Huddersfield and Halifax areas.

Among them were Elland couple Hannah Dupuy and partner Patrick Poyser whose son Reuben was born 18 months ago through IVF.

Hannah, 33, said: “We were really lucky as our first cycle was successful.

“You don’t realise at the time how many people are having IVF and think you’re on your own, but you’re not at all.”

Newsome couple David and Louise Biddle were overjoyed when Louise fell pregnant after a fourth round of IVF.

“It’s just fantastic,” she said. “I get emotional when anybody mentions babies now.

“It has been a roller coaster but it has made us stronger and we are so happy with our daughter, Poppy, who is now five months old.”

Consultant Martin DeBono heads the team based at Calderdale Royal Hospital together with sister Helen Marvell.

Mr DeBono said: “What matters to us as a team is that every couple who we see gets the care which is best for them. After all, to get to us, they have been through so much already so we make sure they are supported and eased through the process and that hopefully contributes to a happy ending.”

He added: “I believe the continued success in treatment is attributed to this individualised care. The expertise gained by the nursing and medical staff continues to increase thereby contributing to the use of new reproductive technologies.”

The unit – run by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust – was set up in 1995 to offer advice and care to couples across Huddersfield and Halifax who were experiencing difficulties becoming pregnant.